CHAP. CII.
THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF ORCHIMONT ARE DESTROYED BY EVERARD DE LA MARCHE.
Bernard de Bourset kept quiet possession of the town of Orchimont and its castle,—but one day, having as usual sent out a detachment of about fifty to lay waste and plunder the country of Liege, they were observed and pursued by the Liegeois, under the command of the provost of Rebogne. Their passage being cut off on the way they meant to have returned, they fled for Dinant, and entered Bouvines, thinking they should be safe there, but were mistaken, inasmuch as they were detained prisoners. Although the officers of justice from Liege made frequent applications to those of Bouvines to have them punished according to their deserts, they were set at liberty, for these two towns did not much love each other.
While this matter was passing, Everard de la Marche, who was in alliance with the bishop of Liege, and had also many subjects of complaint against these pillagers, assembled in haste as many men as he could,—and, being joined by some forces from Dinant and the surrounding country, advanced to Orchimont, and took the town by storm. Bernard had at this moment but few men with him, and therefore retreated to the castle, whither he was gallantly pursued by the Liegeois. They pressed him so hardly that, at the end of four days, he surrendered, on capitulation, to Everard de la Marche.
The castle and town were after this razed to the ground, to the great joy of all the neighbouring country,—for they had been inhabited by a set of wicked vagabonds, who had annoyed all within their reach.